Alicanto

The Alicanto or Allicanto is a mythological bird of the desert of Atacama, pertaining to Chilean mythology.

Legend

Legend says that the alicanto's wings shine at night with beautiful, metallic colors, and their eyes emit strange lights.

Alicantos bring luck to any miner who sees them because they live in small caves containing minerals and feed on gold and silver.

If the lucky miner follows an alicanto without being caught, they can find silver or gold. But, if the alicanto discovers them, the bird will guide the greedy miner off a cliff and cause them to fall to their death.

Alicanto should not be confused with the Alicante, a fictional Mexican snake that drinks mother's milk, impregnates women, and lives in human stomachs.

References

Keller Rueff Keller R. (1972). "Mitos y leyendas de Chile". In Jerónimo de Vivar. Enciclopedia moderna de Chile (in Spanish).

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